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Fiat confirms plans to revive more models from its past following the success of the 500, starting with a new convertible that will use the 124 name

The future Fiat range will be less reliant on variants of the 500, but will continue to draw on the company’s heritage, a spokesman has said.

Fiat's 500-badged cars currently account for the majority of its sales, with the name used on everything from a city car to a seven-seat MPV. However, the next few Fiats will look elsewhere in the company's back catalogue for inspiration.

The first evidence of this will be seen next year when Fiat launches its version of the Mazda MX-5 roadster. The car will be called the 124 Spider, with its looks inspired by the Sixties convertible of the same name.

It was originally thought that the Fiat Group’s version of the MX-5 would be a new Alfa Romeo Spider. However, the company has since said that all Alfa Romeos will be built in Italy (unlike the 124, which will be produced alongside its Mazda sister car in Japan).

The new 124 Spider is likely to use Fiat's turbocharged 1.4-litre "Multiair" petrol engine, with a high performance, Abarth version sitting at the top of the range.

Fiat is also working on a replacement for the Punto hatchback, and a family car that will compete with big sellers such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra. Both of these new models are set to have retro names and designs, but no connection with the 500.

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